Azalea plant named ‘NCRX5’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Rhododendron plant named ‘NCRX5’ having a profusion of large, double white flowers with a yellow-green blotch, cold-hardiness in USDA Zone 6b, consistent reblooming in Fall, dense habit, and a tetraploid cytotype. The new cultivar is a Rhododendron, suitable for ornamental garden purposes.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the novel plant variety disclosed herein is Rhododendron hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘NCRX5’.

The inventive hybrid was selected from oryzalin-treated seedlings derived from a controlled cross between evergreen azaleas Rhododendron ‘Girard's Pleasant White’ (unpatented) and Rhododendron ‘Mootum’ (patented: U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,416; Autumn Moonlight®). Prior to the designation of the varietal denomination, ‘NCRX5’ was referred to by its experimental code: H2009-235-008. ‘NCRX5’ is a stable tetraploid cytotype.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct hybrid evergreen azalea cultivar hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘NCRX5’. This hybrid azalea was developed via a controlled breeding program in Mills River, N.C. ‘NCRX5’ was selected for its prolific, large, double white flowers, moderate and dense growth habit, and consistent fall reblooming. ‘NCRX5’ was obtained from the controlled, hand pollination of emasculated, female Rhododendron ‘Girard's Pleasant White’ (unpatented) and pollen parent Rhododendron ‘Mootum’ (patented: U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,416; Autumn Moonlight®). Seedlings from these controlled pollinations were then treated with a mitotic inhibitor (oryzalin) to develop a population of stable tetraploid azaleas. ‘NCRX5’ was selected after 8 years in field and container trials at a research center in Mills River, N.C. Container trials were conducted using pine bark media supplemented with 1.04 kg·m-3 dolomitic lime, 0.74 kg-m-3 granulated and top-dressed with 5- to 6-month slow-release fertilizer. Full-sun field trials were conducted in plastic-covered, bark-amended clay soils with minimum winter temperatures of −2° F. (−19° C.) and maximum summer temperatures 98° F. (37° C.). The first asexual propagation of ‘NCRX5’ occurred in 2011 by rooting stem cuttings at a research nursery in Mills River, N.C. ‘NCRX5’ roots readily from firm softwood cuttings treated with a basal dip of 3,000-5,000 ppm indole-butyric acid (potassium salt) in water. ‘NCRX5’ has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations over 10 years.

Genome size and ploidy level were determined via flow cytometry, following the methods described in Jones et al., 2007, using the internal standard Pisum sativum ‘Ctirad’ and DAPI (4′, 6-Diamidino2-phenylindole) fluorochrome. ‘NCRX5’ was found to have a genome size of approximately 2.6 pg indicating a tetraploid cytotype. This is approximately two times the size of diploid cytotypes. Ploidy levels and relative genome sizes of diverse species, hybrids, and cultivars of Rhododendron. Journal of the Ameriercan Rhododendron Society 61(4):220-227. Jones, J. R., T. G. Ranney, N. P. Lynch, and S. L. Krebs. 2007.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the unique combination of characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under standard horticultural practices at a research nursery in Mills River, N.C.

-   -   1. Profusion of large, double, white flowers with a yellow-green         blotch.     -   2. Cold hardy to USDA Zone 6b.     -   3. Dense, compact habit.     -   4. Consistent reblooming in fall.     -   5. Tetraploid cytotype.

TABLE 1 COMPARISON WITH PARENTS Plant Flower Color and Type Characteristics FEMALE: White Single Hardiness: USDA Zone 5 Rhododendron Mature Height × Width: ‘Girard's Pleasant 60 cm × 60-90 cm White‘(unpatented) Ploidy: Diploid. Petal number: 5 MALE: White Double Hardiness: USDA Zone 7 Rhododendron Mature Height × Width: ‘Mootum’ 150 cm × 120 cm (U.S. Plant Pat. Ploidy: Diploid. No.18,416) Flower size: 6.35 cm -7 cm. Petal Number: 10-15. Rhododendron White, double Hardiness: USDA Zone 6B ‘NCRX5’ flowers with a Mature Height × Width: yellow-green blotch. 75 cm-100 cm × 100 cm-120 cm. Ploidy: Tetraploid. Flower size: 7 cm -9 cm. Petal number: 10-12.

TABLE 2 COMPARISON WITH COMMERCIAL CONTROLS Additional Plant Flower Color and Type Habit characters Rhododendron White, single flowers Mid-sized/large: Hardy to ‘Robleg’ with a yellow- 120 cm-150 cm × Zone 7 (U.S. Plant Pat. green blotch. 20 cm-120 cm. Diploid No. 15,227) Rhododendron White (RHS White Compact: 75 cm × Hardy to ‘Robley’ Group 155B-D), single 90 cm. Zone 7 (U.S. Plant Pat. flowers lacking Diploid No. 25,046) yellow-green blotch. Rhododendron White, double flowers Mid-sized: Hardy to ‘NCRX5’ with a yellow- 75 cm to 100 cm- Zone 6b green blotch. 120 cm. Tetraploid

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

‘NCRX5’ is illustrated by the accompanying photographs, which show the plant's form, foliage, and inflorescences. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the new hybrid Rhododendron.

FIG. 1: Image showing dense plant habit and form and floriferousness of a 3-year-old container-grown plant in Grand Haven, Mich., in 2020.

FIG. 2: Image showing fully expanded trusses with large, double white flowers on a 2-year-old container plant grown in Grand Haven, Mich., in 2020.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of the botanical characteristics of the new and distinct hybrid evergreen azalea known by the denomination ‘NCRX5’. The detailed description was taken on a 3-year-old container-grown plant in Mills River, N.C., in 2020. Data was supplemented by observations/measurements taken on a 5-year-old individual located in field trials in Mills River, N.C., as well as information provided from cooperators in Grand Haven, Mich. All colors cited herein refer to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.), London, 2015 Edition. Where specific dimensions, sizes, colors, and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as is practicable.

-   Plant:     -   -   Plant type.—Evergreen flowering shrub.         -   Growth habit/form.—Globose.         -   Height at maturity.—75 cm-100 cm.         -   Width at maturity.—100 cm-120 cm.         -   Roots.—Fibrous. Tan, not accurately measured with R.H.S.             chart.         -   Growth rate.—Moderate. -   Shoots and branches:     -   -   Shoots (softwood new growth).—Shape: Rounded. Color: RHS             Yellow-Green Group 147D. Texture: Pubescent. Pubescence             color: RHS Greyed-Orange Group 147D. Shoot diameter:             Approximately 2-3 mm. Shoot length: Variable, ranging from             approximately 12 cm-20 cm. Internode length: Approximately 3             cm-5 cm.         -   Shoots (prior year's woody shoots).—Shape: Rounded. Color:             Greyed-Orange Group 164B with small exfoliating streaks and             sections (RHS Greyed-Orange Group 165A and 165B). Stem             diameter: About 2 mm-5 mm. Stem length: Variable, ranging             from about 6-20 cm. Stem aspect: 0-90°. Texture: Pubescent.         -   Branches.—Shape: Rounded. Color: RHS Greyed-Orange Group             166A with exfoliating sections (RHS Greyed-Orange Group             165B). Texture: Gently exfoliating. Branch diameter:             Variable, ranging from about 5-10 mm. Branch length:             Variable, ranging from about 10 cm to 30 cm. Branching:             Freely branched. Number of lateral branches: Approximately             30-50. -   Foliage:     -   -   Type.—Evergreen.         -   Arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Division.—Simple.         -   Shape.—Elliptic to obelliptic.         -   Apex.—Mucronate.         -   Base.—Cuneate.         -   Margin.—Entire, ciliate in some instances.         -   Venation.—Reticulate.         -   Leaf internode length.—Approximately 3 mm-8 mm.         -   Immature leaf.—         -   Adaxial (upper) surface.—         -   Color.—RHS Yellow-Green Group 146B.         -   Surface.—Lightly pubescent.         -   Pubescence color.—RHS White Group NN155B.         -   Abaxial (lower) surface.—         -   Color.—RHS Yellow-Green Group 146D.         -   Surface.—Pubescent along midrib.         -   Pubescence.—RHS White Group NN155B.         -   Mature leaf.—         -   Length.—Approximately 2.5-4 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 1-2 cm.         -   Color.—         -   Adaxial (upper) surface.—RHS Green Group NN137A.         -   Abaxial (lower) surface.—RHS Green Group 138B.         -   Surface.—Both sides are lightly pubescent.         -   Pubescence color.—RHS Greyed-Orange Group 167C. Fall/winter             color Adaxial side.—RHS Yellow-Green Group 146A. Abaxial             side.—RHS Yellow-Green Group 146D. -   Petiole:     -   -   Shape.—Lunate.         -   Length.—Approximately 6-10 mm.         -   Width.—Approximately 1-2 mm.         -   Color.—         -   Adaxial side.—RHS Yellow-Green Group 144C.         -   Abaxial side.—RHS Yellow-Green Group 144B.         -   Surface.—Both sides are pubescent.         -   Pubescence color.—RHS Greyed-Orange Group 167C. -   Flower:     -   -   Type.—Congested terminal raceme (truss).         -   Flowering season.—Mid-Spring (Mid-April to June).             Consistently reblooms in Early Fall (Late September to late             October).         -   Flowering habit.—Free-flowering.         -   Flowers per truss.—3-5.         -   Consistency in display.—Blooms reliably in the Spring and             consistently reblooms in the Fall.         -   Lastingness of flowers.—Each flower lasts approximately 3-7             days.         -   Fragrance.—None.         -   Self-cleaning or persistent.—Persistent. -   Truss bud:     -   -   Length.—About 10 mm-16 mm.         -   Diameter.—About 6 mm-10 mm.         -   Bud scales.—Number: Variable: 3-7; 4 is average. Length:             Approximately 10 mm-18 mm. Width: Approximately 5 mm-11 mm.             Color prior opening: RHS Yellow-Green Group 146B to RHS             Green-White Group 157B. Color after flowers emerge: Bud             scales fade to RHS Yellow-White Group 158A Texture: Adaxial             side: Smooth. Abaxial side: Pubescent at tip. Color: RHS             Greyed-Orange Group 165B. -   Emerging flowers prior to opening:     -   -   Shape.—Elliptic, acuminate.         -   Length.—2-3 cm.         -   Diameter.—13.5 mm-19 mm.         -   Color.—RHS White Group NN155 B and NN155C fading to RHS             Yellow-Green 144C at base. -   Perianth:     -   -   Diameter at anthesis.—7 cm-9 cm.         -   Depth.—3.5 cm-5 cm.         -   Organization.—Petals and petaloids are arranged in two             whorls.         -   Aspect.—Facing upwards and outwards.         -   Shape.—Broadly funnel-shaped.         -   Attachment.—Pedicellate. -   Petals:     -   -   Length.—Outer whorl: 6.5 cm-8.5 cm. Inner whorl/Petaloids:             3.5 cm-5.5 cm.         -   Width.—Outer whorl: 3 cm-4 cm. Inner whorl/Petaloids: 1.5             cm-3.5 cm.         -   Shape.—Obovate.         -   Apex.—Obtuse.         -   Base.—Acuminate         -   Margin.—Undulate.         -   Fused or unfused.—Fused at the midpoint.         -   Number.—10-12.         -   Color.—Color is consistent from opening to anthesis and             between petals and petaloids. Adaxial (upper) surface: RHS             White Group NN155 B, NN155C, NN155D. Blotch: RHS             Yellow-Green 150C, sometimes RHS Yellow-Green 145C. Surface:             Smooth, silky. Abaxial (lower) surface: RHS White Group             155B, 155C, 155D. Surface: Smooth, silky. -   Calyx/receptacle:     -   -   Shape.—Star-shaped, single-whorl of persistent sepals.         -   Sepals.—Number: 5. Length: 6 mm-9 mm. Width: 2 mm-4 mm.             Shape: Lanceolate. Apex: Acuminate. Margin: Entire, ciliate.             Color: RHS Yellow-Green Group 148C. Surface: Pubescent.             Pubescence color: RHS Greyed-Orange Group 165C. -   Pedicels:     -   -   Shape.—Rounded.         -   Length.—Approximately 5 mm-15 mm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 2 mm-5 mm.         -   Color.—RHS Yellow-Green Group N148C.         -   Surface.—Pubescent.         -   Color.—RHS Green Group 143C. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Reproductive organs.—Reproductive characters, especially             anther length, stamen number, and anther dimensions can be             highly variable. Some flowers exhibit stunted styles,             filaments, and/or anthers. -   Gynoecium:     -   -   Pistil number.—0-1.         -   Pistil length.—4 cm-5.5 cm.         -   Pistil diameter.—0.5 mm-0.7 mm.         -   Stigma shape.—Orbicular to elliptic; flat.         -   Stigma length.—1 mm-2 mm.         -   Stigma width.—1 mm-2 mm.         -   Stigma color.—RHS Yellow-Green Group 151D.         -   Style color.—RHS White Group NN155C.         -   Ovary shape.—Dome-shaped.         -   Ovary length.—Approximately 5 mm-6 mm.         -   Ovary diameter.—Approximately 3 mm-4 mm.         -   Ovary color.—RHS Yellow-Green Group 147B (under pubescence).         -   Surface.—Pubescent.         -   Color.—RHS White Group 155A. -   Androecium:     -   -   Stamen number.—0-7.         -   Anther shape.—Ovoid with two apical pores.         -   Anther attachment.—Dorsifixed. Production of fully formed             filaments and anthers is rare. -   Other characteristics: -   Propagation: Roots readily (>90%) from firm, terminal, softwood stem     cuttings taken in mid-summer. ‘NCRX5’ roots well when the bottom 2     cm of the stems are treated for 5 seconds with 3,000-5,000 ppm of     potassium salt indole-3-butyric acid (KIBA) dissolved in water and     placed under intermittent mist for 8-10 weeks until roots form. -   Disease and insect resistance: No significant disease or insect     pests have been observed. -   Cold hardiness: Has been reliably cold hardy in USDA 6b. Has not     been evaluated in colder climates. -   Ploidy: ‘NCRX5’ is a stable tetraploid. ‘NCRX5’ has been confirmed     via flow cytometry and remains stable after successive propagation. -   Fruit/seed:     -   -   Fruit type.—Capsule.         -   Fruit texture.—Pubescent.         -   Fruit length.—Approximately 5-6 mm.         -   Fruit diameter.—Approximately 3-4 mm.         -   Fruit color.—Immature: RHS Yellow-Green Group 147B. Mature:             RHS Greyed-Orange Group N167A.         -   Seed number.—Seed is rarely produced.         -   Seed length.—Approximately 1 mm.         -   Seed diameter.—Approximately 0.5 mm.         -   Seed color.—RHS Greyed-Orange Group 164A. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Rhododendron plant named ‘NCRX5’ as herein illustrated and described. 